October 14, 2022 - WASHINGTON – A Philadelphia man was found guilty yesterday in the District of Columbia of felony and misdemeanor charges for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

James Douglas Rahm, Jr., 63, was found guilty of obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony, and four related misdemeanor offenses, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. Judge Thomas F. Hogan returned the verdict after a trial in which Rahm and the government agreed upon a stipulated set of facts regarding his conduct.

According to the stipulated facts, on Jan. 6, 2021, Rahm illegally entered the Capitol grounds. After rioters broke through the police line on the east side of the Capitol, he climbed steps and joined a mob outside the East Rotunda Doors. He filmed a video in which he stated, among other things, “We broke the door down. We’re going in.” He also yelled to the crowd, “I think we stopped the vote,” drawing cheers. Rahm entered the Capitol through the East Rotunda Doors at approximately 2:43 p.m., carrying a flag. He filmed another video in which he loudly declared, “we’re in. We’re taking our f------ house back. We’re here.” He moved through Statuary Hall and other non-public areas before exiting the building at approximately 2:53 p.m. 

Rahm was arrested on Feb. 5, 2021, in Philadelphia. He is to be sentenced on Jan. 18, 2023. He faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison on the obstruction charge, and a total statutory maximum of three additional years on the misdemeanor charges. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Newark and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police.

In the 21 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 880 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 270 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing. 

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.